The EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) was put in place to protect the marine ecosystem and biodiversity upon which our health and marine-related economic and social activities depend. To help EU countries achieve a good environmental status (GES), the directive sets out 11 illustrative qualitative descriptors. Taking into account the specificities of marine waters, while reflecting the general characteristics of the marine region or sub-region concerned, the programmes of measures to be set up by each MS should be designed in a way to achieve or maintain good environmental status.
The Marine Strategy Framework Directive (initial assessment of the state, determination of GES, environmental Targets, monitoring programs, and program of measures) is implemented over six-year cycles. EU Member States report at each step of the cycle and the Commission provides its assessments and recommendations.
In 2016, Bulgaria’s first programme of measures (PoMs) was developed. The PoMs includes specific initiatives to ensure the Bulgarian Maritime Area reaches its environmental targets. Under the second implementation cycle, Bulgaria initiated a review of these measures following Article 17(2) MSFD. FT carried out the update of the first PoM, based on the experience in its development (incl. Guidance document elaborated) through the project “Implementation of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive in Bulgaria – Development of Programmes of Measures under Art. 13”. The following activities were implemented:
- Analysis of the updated initial assessment, the re-definitions of GES and environmental targets;
- Analysis of the implementation of the ongoing programme of measures, its relevance to the needs of the assessment areas, and based on this, a proposal for the withdrawal of measures/introduction of new measures where necessary.
- Drafting the updated Programmes of Measures under MSFD Art. 13.
- Recommendations for follow-up activities to ensure effective implementation of the PoM at national and regional level.
- Preparation of an action plan setting out how to reach the identified environmental objectives and associated indicators for achieving good environmental status.